Peer Education
Peer Education
Peer Education
INSTITUTE
PRESENTED BY:
JOY PURITY ATAYI
2023
DECLARATION
This research project report is my own work and it has not been submitted for any Certificate or
Diploma award in any other College
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all those who made it possible for me to complete
this research project. I also want to express very special gratitude to my family who have been a
support in my line of success and above all I thank God Almighty for the care and guidance he
has given me to complete this project.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DECLARATION.................................................................................................................................ii
DEDICATION...................................................................................................................................iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT..................................................................................................................iv
ABSTRACT.........................................................................................................................................9
CHAPTER ONE..................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................................1
1.1 Background of the Study..........................................................................................................1
1.2 Statement of the Problem.........................................................................................................1
1.3 Purpose of the Study................................................................................................................2
1.4 Objectives of the Study............................................................................................................2
1.5 Research Questions..................................................................................................................2
1.6 Significance of the Study.........................................................................................................3
1.7 Basic Assumptions of the Study..............................................................................................3
1.8 Limitations of the study...........................................................................................................3
1.9 Delimitations of the Study.......................................................................................................3
1.10. Conceptual framework................................................................................................................4
1.10 Definitions of Significant Terms used in the Study.................................................................5
CHAPTER TWO.................................................................................................................................6
LITERATURE REVIEW....................................................................................................................6
2.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................6
2.2 Peer Education about HIV/ AIDS and Prevention of the Disease...........................................6
2.2.1 Peer Education, information Sources of Students and Prevention of HIV and AIDS.............6
2.2.2 Peer Education, HIV Education Curriculum and Prevention of HIV among Students in
Rift Valley Technical Institute.............................................................................................................8
2.3 Attitudes of Students and Prevention of HIV and AIDS.........................................................9
2.3.1 Attitudes of the Students towards Condom Use......................................................................9
2.3.2 Attitudes of the Students towards VCT Services...................................................................10
2.3.3 Attitudes of the Students towards PLHIV..............................................................................10
2.4 The Sexual Behavior of the Students and Prevention of HIV/AIDS.....................................11
2.4.1 Condom Use and Prevention of HIV/AIDS...........................................................................11
2.4.2 Uptake of VCT Services and the Prevention of HIV/AIDS..................................................11
CHAPTER THREE...........................................................................................................................13
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY......................................................................................................13
3.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................13
3.2 Research Design.....................................................................................................................13
3.3 Target Population...................................................................................................................13
3.4 Sample size and Sampling Procedures...................................................................................13
3.4.1 Sampling Techniques.............................................................................................................14
3.5 Research Instruments.............................................................................................................14
3.5.1 Validity of the Instrument......................................................................................................15
3.5.2 Pilot Testing...........................................................................................................................15
3.5.3 Reliability of the Instrument..................................................................................................16
3.6 Data Collection Procedure.....................................................................................................16
3.7 Data Analysis Techniques......................................................................................................17
3.8 Ethical Considerations...........................................................................................................18
CHAPTER FOUR..............................................................................................................................19
DATA ANALYSIS, PRESENTATION, INTERPRETATIONS, AND DISCUSSION..................19
4.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................19
4.2 Background Information of the Respondents........................................................................19
Table 5: Respondents’ demographic data..........................................................................................20
4.3 Education of Students about HIV/ AIDS and Prevention of the Disease..............................21
4.3.1 Education and Perceptions of Students on HIV and AIDS....................................................21
4.3.2 Source of Information about HIV and AIDS for Rift Valley Rift Valley institute student
22
Table 6: Sources of information about HIV/AIDS by the Students..................................................22
4.3.3 Modes of HIV Transmission in Rift Valley Technical Training Institute in Eldoret............23
Table 7: The Students’ Education on Modes of HIV transmission...................................................23
4.3.4 Strategies of HIV Prevention in Rift Valley Technical Training Institute in Eldoret............24
Table 8: HIV prevention strategies adopted by the Students in Rift Valley Technical institute.......25
4.3.5 Statements about HIV and AIDS...........................................................................................26
Table 9: Statements about HIV/ AIDS by the Students.....................................................................27
4.3.6 Cultural Practices and the Spread of HIV and AIDS in Rift Valley Technical Training
Institute in Eldoret.............................................................................................................................28
Table 10: The Students’s Education on cultural practices that enhance the spread of HIV/ AIDS. .29
4.4 Attitudes of the Students and their Participation in HIV Prevention on peer education.......30
4.4.1 Maintaining Secrecy about Family Member Infected with HIV...........................................30
Table 11: Level of secrecy by the Students about a family member’s infection with HIV...............30
4.4.2 Sharing a Desk with an Infected Classmate...........................................................................31
Table 12: Ability of the Students sharing a desk with an infected classmate....................................31
4.4.3 Encounter with STIs in Rift Valley Technical Training Institute in Eldoret.........................32
CHAPTER FIVE...............................................................................................................................33
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS...........................33
5.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................33
5.2 Summary of Findings.............................................................................................................33
5.3 Conclusions............................................................................................................................33
5.4 Recommendations..................................................................................................................34
5.7 Areas for Further Research....................................................................................................35
REFERENCES..................................................................................................................................36
LIST OF FIGURES
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
HIV and AIDS has in the past decades had devastating effects on the Students population,
especially, institute going students by causing deaths and stigmatization. Prevention of HIV/ AIDS
is critical for creating a healthy and productive population. According to WHO (2014), 95% of the
world population should have accurate Education about HIV and AIDS to prevent new infections.
However, in low and middle-income countries only 24% and 36% of young women and men
respectively have accurate Education about the disease. Lack of adequate Education prevents
individuals from taking preventive measures such as using condoms to avoid acquiring HIV and
AIDS.
According to (Murtala, 2009), safe sexual behaviors should be adopted to prevent the spread of
HIV/ AIDS. This includes avoiding unprotected sex, anal sex, and having multiple sexual partners.
Risky sexual behavior is still an obstacle to prevention of HIV/ AIDS since only 51% of individuals
aged 15-49 years use condoms in Sub-Sahara Africa, Middle East, and Latin America (UNAIDS
2014). Globally, risky behaviors such as anal sex, oral sex, and having multiple sex partners are still
common in most countries.
At least 95% of the Students should have accurate Education about HIV and AIDS to prevent the
spread of the disease. In Kenya, the government has embarked on improving the Education of the
Students by introducing HIV/ AIDS education programmes in institutes. This has increased the
general awareness about HIV and AIDS in Rift Valley Technical Training Instittute in Eldoret .
However, the information that the Students have is not accurate since they still hold myths and
misconceptions about the disease. Lack of adequate and accurate Education prevents the Students
from taking preventive measures such as using condoms to avoid acquiring or spreading HIV/
AIDS.
Pending the discovery of an effective vaccine, therapy, or curative treatment, reduction of risk-
taking behavior is the only way through which the spread of HIV/AIDS pandemic can be arrested.
In particular, the spread of the disease in Rift Valley Technical Training Institute in Eldoret in
institute can be prevented if they avoid risky behaviors such as having unprotected sex. Access to
adequate and accurate Education about HIV/ AIDS can also enhance prevention. The Students are
likely to participate in the prevention of HIV/ AIDS if they have a positive attitude towards the
disease. It is against this background that this study sought to establish how the Education,
attitudes, social conditions, and sexual behaviors of the Students in Uasin Gishu County determine
their participation in the prevention of HIV/ AIDs.
1. What is the level of Education of Students on HIV/ AIDS that determines their participation in
the prevention of HIV and AIDS in Rift Valley Technical Institute?
2. To what extent does the attitude of the Students determine their participation in the prevention
of HIV and AIDS in Rift Valley Technical Institute?
3. How does the sexual behavior of the Students determine their participation in the prevention
of HIV and AIDS in Rift Valley Technical Institute among Studentss?
1.6 Significance of the Study
The high prevalence of HIV and AIDS in Uasin Gishu County , estimated at 26.3%, creates a need
for intense prevention efforts in the District and other regions with comparable infection rates
(Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, 2010). National surveys are usually very expensive to carry
out. Consequently, the lowest level that data can be collected and analyzed is up to the regional
level (Capacity Building International, 2009). This means that in Kenya data can only be analyzed
up to the provincial level. Therefore, we hope that this study provided valuable insights that may
guide the target population in the process of preventing HIV and AIDS. Institutes have been a hard
to reach population due to the strict policy guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education.
Abstinence is the only prevention measure that can be taught in institutes, despite the fact that
majority of the population becomes sexually active by the age of 18 years. Thus, the findings of this
study, hopefully, may help the government through the ministry of education to adjust its policy
concerning HIV and AIDS education in institutes. Finally, studies that target the student population
are scanty, and the existing ones are inconclusive. Thus, this study contributed to the process of
designing policies and programs that are geared towards the prevention of HIV and AIDS.
Moderating Variable
Parents/ Teachers
discussion with the youth.
Peer education
Independent Variables
Knowledge of Youth on HIV and AIDS
Information Sources HIV Curriculum
Involvement of teachers and healthcare
workers Presentation of HIV and AIDS
Knowledge
Education of Students: Is defined as a justified true belief. For one to have Education, three
conditions must be fulfilled namely, the belief condition, the truth condition and the
grounds/ justification condition.
Attitude of Students: Can be defined as learned, relatively enduring dispositions to respond in a
consistently favorable or unfavorable ways to certain people, groups, ideas, or
situations. They may change and predict behavior. Therefore, attitude includes the
affect (psychological arousal), behavior, and cognition (thoughts).
Experience of Students: is defined as the content of direct observation or participation in an event.
Both psychological and emotional properties are integrated into this ongoing
personal-environment to give experience meaning and value and to enhance its
quality. For it to occur there has to be a physical presence, which consists of three
things: perceptual, intentional, and cognitive components.
Students Participation: Refers to the Students taking an active role in the prevention of HIV.
Prevention of HIV: Refers to ensuring that there is controlled HIV incidence among the institute
Students
Determinants of Students Participation: Factors that would influence the decision by the Students
in taking active role in the prevention of HIV
Social Conditions: Refers to factors that would make the Students vulnerable to HIV infection.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
This chapter discusses the literature related to the determinants of Students participation in the
prevention of HIV and AIDS. It particularly focuses on the Education about HIV and AIDS in Rift
Valley Technical Training Institute in Eldoret ; attitudes of Students towards prevention of HIV and
AIDS; the sexual behavior of the Students and how it affects their participation in prevention of
HIV and AIDS; and how the social conditions of the Students affect their participation in
prevention of HIV/ AIDS.
2.2 Peer Education about HIV/ AIDS and Prevention of the Disease
AIDS is the leading cause of death among adolescents in Africa and the second highest globally
with 2.1 million adolescents living with HIV in 2013 globally. A greater percentage of this number
(83%) resides in sub-Saharan Africa with 250,000 new infections in 2013. There were 9720
adolescents and young people who died of AIDS in Kenya in 2013. (UNAIDS, 2014). The
Students are the most vulnerable since this is the stage at which they are curious and want test
things. Education and awareness would therefore be very important at this stage (WHO, 2004).
Education can be defined as a justified true belief. For it to occur three conditions must be fulfilled
namely, belief, truth, and grounds condition. Belief is the psychological state of mind or conviction.
Truth is the conviction that something is true, while the grounds condition refers to justification. It
is only when these three conditions are fulfilled that it can be said that Education has taken place
(Schelfer, 1965). The following will be discussed under this theme; Education and information
sources, and HIV curriculum in institutes and the prevention of HIV and AIDS.
2.2.1 Peer Education, information Sources of Students and Prevention of HIV and AIDS
Education of HIV and AIDS is essential for making behavioral choices that reduce the threat of
acquiring and transmitting the infection (NASCOP, 2009). In the last 10 years, educational
campaigns in Kenya have focused on disseminating information about the disease in terms of its
acquisition and prevention. According to Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (2010), about 99% of
Kenyans had heard about HIV and AIDS by 2010. 98.7% of adolescents who are the in institute had
Education about HIV and AIDS. There was a marginal difference in terms of the Education at the
rural and urban areas, standing at 99 percent and 99.5 percent respectively. However, the results
show that the Education of all key HIV prevention methods was lower among women and men
aged 15-19 years than among people aged 20 years and above. Despite the high Education on HIV
and AIDS, the prevalence in Nyanza is still very high.
In a study by Ndegwa (2002), 100% of both teachers and students in Nairobi were found to be
aware of HIV and AIDS. Majority of the students know the symptoms of HIV and AIDS and have
seen or even taken care of AIDS patients. On the other hand, only 50% of the students had
Education of preventive measures for HIV and AIDs. The study further revealed that teachers were
involved in the activities geared towards HIV prevention like counseling, teaching in class and in
general discussions with students. This means that if the teachers were well equipped with
information on HIV and AIDS, they would play an important role in the prevention of the disease
among students. Nonetheless, only 12.9% of teachers often teach about HIV/AIDS (Ndegwa,
2002). This implies that teachers are not well empowered as disseminators of the information about
HIV/AIDS prevention methods to students.
In a study on the Education of HIV and AIDS among Rift Valley Rift Valley institute students in
Calabar, Nigeria, Oyo-Ita, Ikpeme, Etokidem, Offor, Okokon and Etuk (2005) found that only
68.8 percent of the adolescents knew that HIV and AIDS is caused by a virus. 31.2 percent of the
adolescents did not know the etiological agents of HIV and AIDS, stating that it is caused by
bacteria or worms or did not know at all. The majority (90%) knew that HIV/AIDS is transmitted
through sexual intercourse. Only 13.4 percent of the adolescents knew that HIV carriers
might look normal.
Majority (89.5%) did not know the features of AIDS. Only 48.4 percent of the adolescents knew
that avoidance of sex, keeping one sexual partner, use of condom, and screening of blood
transfusion before use could prevent HIV transmission. Abstinence from sex was the common
mode of preventing HIV and AIDS among the adolescents. The main sources of information on
HIV and AIDS for the adolescents in this region included television (53.3%); radio (43.8%); health
talks and clinics (36.9%); and newspapers and magazines (35%). Only 2.2% of the adolescents
obtained information on HIV/AIDs from their parents. Therefore, the study concluded that although
the awareness on HIV and AIDS was high among the institute adolescents, parents, teachers, and
health workers should be more involved in educating the Students on this dreaded disease.
2.2.2 Peer Education, HIV Education Curriculum and Prevention of HIV among Students in
Rift Valley Technical Institute
The government of Kenya introduced an integrated HIV and AIDS education in the year 2000
(Kenya Institute of Education, 2000). The objectives of the program include the acquisition of
Education and the necessary skills about HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases;
development of life skills that will lead to an AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases free life; to
identify sources of information on HIV and related issues; and making decisions about personal and
social behavior in order to reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Hussein
(2005), in his study of socio-economic and cultural factors in the transmission of HIV and AIDS
among the institute and college going Students in Garisa District refutes the claim that there is high
Education about the disease among learners. He observed that many young people were unaware
of what constituted risky sexual behavior that could expose them to HIV infection. The few learners
who had Education about the disease believed that they were invulnerable (Hussein, 2005). A
similar view was advanced by Johnston (2000) who noted that even though Education about the
nature and transmission of the disease is over 90% among Kenyan Students, the perceptions about
the chances of contracting the virus are very poor. Generally, young people already know
something about sex and HIV/AIDS. However, the information could be inadequate and wrong or
incomplete.
According to Ongunya et al (2009), the content of the HIV/AIDS education program has not been
reviewed since its introduction in 2000 in response to emerging issues concerning the disease. For
instance, materials on VCT services are clearly missing from the content of the program.
Additionally, the program lacks practical orientation and only concentrates on delivering superficial
Education because it is taught as a contemporary theme in secondary education curriculum. This
finding suggests that a gap exists between the objectives and the actual HIV and AIDS education
program delivery and behavior change in institutes. This disconnect may be emanating from the
presentation of the Education itself or lack of proper focus. The Students in institute are exposed to
HIV and AIDS education Education in the form of contemporary themes, which they expect to
memorize during examinations and not to influence them to change their behavior.
She further states that condoms are an integral part of HIV prevention and care programs. Thus,
their promotion must be accelerated. Latex condoms are effective barriers to HIV and other STIs
when used in every act of intercourse. This protection is most evident in HIV discordant couples.
Condom Education and attitude ranked low in the study population. For example, there was a
negative attitude towards the protective role of condoms in preventing HIV transmission. Even
though the majority of students had seen a condom and believed that they were effective in
protecting against pregnancy, only 22.9% thought that condoms were effective in protecting against
HIV/AIDS. Similar results have been reported by Toroitich (2004) who found that 43.8% of
students believe that condoms could slip off the man and disappear inside the woman’s body.
2.3.2 Attitudes of the Students towards VCT Services
Voluntary counseling and testing for HIV has become a major component of the expanded
responses to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Early testing for HIV/AIDS offers many benefits for young
people, but in many countries, it is still rare. In Kenya, existing counseling and testing centers are
situated mainly in urban and semi-urban areas. The increasing demand for VCT services can be
attributed to several factors. First, individuals have a right to know their sero-status in order to
protect themselves and others from infection. Second, early detection may help individuals to
access sources of support and variety of treatments for opportunistic infections associated with HIV
and AIDS (Kiragu, 2001; Population Council and UNFPA, 2002).VCT can result in a reduction in
risk taking tendencies and promote behavior change.
The stigma associated with HIV/AIDS may be a key factor that reduces the uptake of VCT services
among the students. The challenge now is to link awareness creation with service delivery. Most
VCT services are located in public health facilities. Additionally, there is a general lack of
confidence in reproductive health services provided in public health facilities. This has clearly been
extended to VCT services. Plans to roll out more VCT centers across the country must consider
this. VCT services in most areas are currently located in the district hospitals. Most of the Students
recommend that VCT centers be located in private places such as Students centers. It has also
been widely suggested that the centers be located in areas that the Studentss frequent such as
churches, villages, hospitals, institutes and market places.
Kabiru (2005) also noted some of the risky behaviors that students engage in. These included going
to a disco clubs, going to Students parties, smoking cigarettes, drinking beer, drinking illicit brews,
smoking marijuana, and using other drugs. Some of the drugs reported by students included
cocaine, heroin, mandrax, khat, and kuber. 23% of females and 13% of males stated that they had
never engaged in any of these activities, while one female and six males stated that they often
engaged in all the seven risky behaviors. The results indicated that close to 50% of females and
60% of males engage in at least one of the behaviors sometimes or often.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
This chapter describes the methodology that was used to conduct the study. These include the
research design, target population, sample size, sample selection, research instruments, data
collection procedures, data analysis techniques, and ethical issues in research.
In purposive sampling, the researcher decides whom to include in the sample. In this case, the
researcher was interested only in day Rift Valley Technical Institute in Uasin Gishu County
District. This is because the researcher was interested in students residing in the rural areas of the
District. The assumption was that the students in the rural day Rift Valley Technical Institute are
residents of rural areas. Since the District does not have one-sex day Rift Valley Technical Institute,
only mixed day Rift Valley Technical Institute were included, in this case 34 institutes.
Simple random sampling is a technique that selects a sample without bias from the accessible
population in order to select a representative sample. It ensures that each member of the target
population has an equal and independent chance of being included in the sample (Osoo&Onen,
2004).
The study also employed stratified sampling. This technique identifies sub-groups in the population
and their proportion. Respondents are then selected from each sub-group to form a sample. The
purpose of this technique was to group the population into homogeneous subsets i.e. boys and girls.
The proportion of boys to girls was about 2:1 i.e. 6869 divided by 3712. This was to ensure
equitable representation of the population in the sample.
The researcher used a semi-structured questionnaire. This means that the tool had both open and
close-ended questions. This enabled the researcher to balance between quantitative and qualitative
of data, as well as, to collect more information. This balance was useful in the explanation of the
area of study.
The questionnaire was divided into five areas: part A, which had demographic profile with
questions about age, education level, religion and sex; part B, which had questions pertaining to
HIV and AIDS Education; part C, which had questions pertaining to attitudes on HIV and AIDS;
part D, which had questions pertaining to HIV and AIDS sexual behavior; and lastly part E, which
focused on recommendations for enhancing HIV and AIDS Programs as well as the social
conditions.
Questionnaires were used since this study was mainly concerned with variables that cannot be
directly observed such as Education, attitudes, experience, and expectations of the respondents.
Such information is best collected through questionnaires. The sample size was also quite large
(371) and given the time constraints, the questionnaire was the ideal tool for collecting data. The
target population was also unlikely to have difficulties in responding to the questionnaires.
Rift Valley Technical Institute were selected within Eldoret town and the researcher requested the
institute administrators to provide the list of students per gender. Ten percent of the sample size i.e.
10% of 371, which is approximately 37 students, was selected based on the ration of boys to girls.
Six research assistants who had been trained on interviewing skills, research ethical considerations,
and on the questionnaire itself interviewed the students. After the first set of interviews, the
questionnaires were studied in order to iron out difficulties and or, challenges before the next set of
interviews.
The pilot test data was used to determine the reaction of respondents to the different aspects of the
study, which included timing, acceptability of the questions, and willingness of the respondents to
cooperate. It was also helpful in discovering errors in the instrument. This included the reliability of
the instrument, time taken/needed to conduct the interviews and if there was, need to adjust the tool.
It also helped in assessing the sampling procedures, as well as, the training of the research
assistants.
In order to ensure reliability of the instrument, the researcher considered the consistency with which
the answers were generated. This was established at the piloting stage where the ease of interpreting
and answering the questions was determined. The inconsistencies that were noted in interpreting the
questions were addressed by rephrasing the questions and instructions to make them clearer to the
respondents. This helped to improve the consistency of the answers provided by the respondents.
Randomization was also used in the selection of participants from the population to avoid bias by
improving the representativeness of the sample.
The second step in the data collection process involved training six research assistants for two days
so that they could understand the study’s objectives and to master the research tool, as well as, to
understand the ethical considerations and to plan approaches to data collection. The research
assistants were recruited from the district where the study was conducted. The third step involved
conducting a pilot test to verify the validity of the questionnaires. The results of the pilot test were
used to correct the questionnaires to enhance the quality of data collected.
The fourth step was fieldwork in which quantitative and qualitative data . The data was collected by
six trained research assistants under the supervision of the researcher using questionnaires that had
both closed and open-ended questions. The respondents were expected to respond to the closed
ended questions by making choice(s) to the list that was provided in the questionnaires. On the
other hand, the respondents were expected to give personal opinion(s) for the open-ended questions
in the questionnaires. The research assistants administered questionnaires through interviews to
students in one institute at a time. The help of research assistants was required because the
researcher could not administer the questionnaires to all the 371 respondents by himself due to time
constraint.
Descriptive statistics provided simple summaries about the sample and measures. Together with
simple graphical analysis, they formed the basis of quantitative analysis of data. Inferential analysis,
on the other hand, enabled the researcher to use sample statistics to draw conclusions about the
population, i.e. students from rural Rift Valley Technical Institute in Uasin Gishu County .
Frequency tables cross tabulations and correlations were generated and formed the backdrop of
research’s findings and recommendations.
The researcher grouped data from open-ended items and interviews under broad themes and
converted them into frequency counts. Data from the closed ended questions were assigned
numerical values to facilitate analysis. This was then keyed into SPSS spreadsheets for analysis.
The data was analyzed at a level of significance of 5%. This value was chosen because the sample
size was adopted from figures calculated on the basis 0.95 level of significance.
3.8 Ethical Considerations
The main ethical issues in this study included informed consenting, privacy, confidentiality, and
anonymity.
Informed Consent- it implies informing the respondents about the procedures of the study in
which they will be participating. The respondents were provided with information on the purpose of
the research, expected duration of participation, the procedure to be followed, unforeseen
discomforts, as well as, the extent of privacy and confidentiality. Once this was done, the
respondents were expected to voluntarily participate in the exercise.
Privacy and confidentiality- To ensure privacy and confidentiality, the respondents were
interviewed one at a time in a private room that was provided by the institute administration.
Anonymity- for anonymity purposes, the researcher did not ask for the respondents’ names in the
questionnaires. Thus, numbers were used to represent the respondents.
CHAPTER FOUR
Gender distribution determines Students participation in prevention of HIV and AIDS due to the
socio- economic and biological vulnerability of females as opposed to males. Gender bias is deeply
rooted in cultural and traditional values, which discriminate against the female gender. Gender
inequality is a salient socio-cultural issue that puts women at a lower bargaining power in the
decision-making process pertaining to HIV and AIDS. Respondents were therefore asked to state
their gender and table 4 states the gender distribution within the district.
Religious affiliation is an important characteristic as it has significant influence on the determinants
of Students participation in prevention of HIV and AIDS. Table 4 captures the data on religious
affiliation. From the table, the Protestants constituted the majority at 52.3 percent followed by
Catholics at 40.2 percent, traditionalists at 5.9 percent, orthodox at 1.3 percent, pagan at 0.3 percent
and no Muslims. HIV and AIDS programs should therefore incorporate religious leaders and
gatekeepers and exploit the existing good will to disseminate pertinent information on HIV and
AIDS. Catholics for example have a strong stance on condom use and this may call for other means
of prevention other than the condom.
Age distribution is important in the study as different age groups have unique characteristics
pertaining to HIV and AIDS. According to KAIS 2007 report, different age groups have diverse
HIV and AIDS needs and challenges hence the need to formulate intervention strategies based on
the different age groups. Table 4 depicts that most of the respondents were in 16-18 age group at 62
percent followed by 13-15 at 24.2 percent and 19-22 at 3.5 percent. From table 4 age group 13-18
forms the majority of the respondents at 86.2 percent. A number of the Students at this age are in
between form 1 and form three. This is the age at which most sexual debuts occur and therefore a
need to put more emphasis on safe sex practices.
4.3 Education of Students about HIV/ AIDS and Prevention of the Disease
Education about HIV and AIDS in Rift Valley Technical Training Institute in Eldoret was
important since it was expected to influence their ability to identify and take various precautionary
measures to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS. For instance, students are likely to avoid
contracting the disease if they have adequate Education on how it is transmitted. Similarly, students
are likely to use condoms if they are aware that it can help to prevent the spread of HIV/ AIDS.
Therefore, students were asked if they had ever heard about HIV and AIDS. All the students (371)
had heard about HIV and AIDS.
4.3.2 Source of Information about HIV and AIDS for Rift Valley Rift Valley institute student
The Students were asked to state their sources of information about HIV and AIDS. Knowing the
main sources of information about the disease was important because it is likely to help health
policy makers, the community, and institutes to use the right communication channels to inform the
Students about HIV and AIDS. Table 2 shows that students obtained information about the disease
from multiple sources.
Students clubs are important sources of information because they encourage open talk among peers
about HIV and AIDS. In this respect, Rift Valley Rift Valley institute students in Sub District are
likely to acquire adequate information about the disease if the discussions in their Students clubs are
led by experts or people who have accurate and enough information about HIV and AIDS. The
high utilization rate of health centres as a source of information about HIV is consistent with the
perspective of Obare et al (2010), who found that the Students in Kenya prefer to talk to health care
service providers and counselors about sexually transmitted disease and reproductive matters.
The finding also suggest that counseling services in health centres is highly accessible in Uasin
Gishu County since over 50% of the respondents could access information about HIV from them.
The high utilization rate (61.7%) of mass media as a source of information reflects increased access
to various media channels such as radio, televisions, newspapers, and mobile phones with FM radio
capabilities. In this respect, the Students are expected to access information about the disease
through mass media and IEC materials such as posters because the Ministry of Health often
carryout campaigns against HIV and AIDS through them (NASCOP, 2009).
4.3.3 Modes of HIV Transmission in Rift Valley Technical Training Institute in Eldoret
Modes of transmission are important indicators of measuring the level of awareness about HIV
infection. Table 6 contains data on the Education base of respondents in regards to modes of HIV
transmission. Students were asked to state the modes of HIV transmission that they were aware of
to test the quality and depth of Education they had about the disease. Students’ responses to this
question are presented in table 3.
Table 7 shows that at least 80% of the students were aware that unprotected sex and sharing sharp
objects could lead to transmission of HIV/ AIDS. This result is consistent with that of Murtala
(2009) who found that at least 80% of secondary students in Katsina, Nigeria knew that sexual
intercourse, use of needles/ syringes on human body, and blood transfusion are major means by
which HIV is transmitted.
The study also revealed that 81.1% of the students were aware that blood transfusion can lead to
HIV/ AIDS transmission. Moreover, 62.8% of the students knew that HIV/ AIDS can be acquired
through deep kissing. Only 40.2% of the respondents knew that they could acquire the disease by
coming into contact with the wounds of an infected person. These findings are supported by those
of Murtala (2009) who found that 86.7% of Rift Valley Rift Valley institute students in Katsina,
Nigeria were aware that HIV/ AIDS could be transmitted through blood transfusion. The research
also found that only 8% of the students in Nigeria knew that HIV/ AIDS could be transmitted
through kissing.
Table 7 shows that less than 35% of the students knew that sharing toothbrushes, MTC, and coming
into contact with blood of an infected person can lead to transmission of the disease. This means
that students lack perfect information about the modes of HIV/ AIDS transmission. Moreover, the
finding suggests that the students are at risk of being infected since ignorance of some modes of
transmission could lead to increased infection rates. This perspective is supported by the findings of
Hussein (2005) who concluded that institute and collage going Students in Garisa District were at
risk of contracting HIV because they were unaware of the risky sexual behaviors that could lead to
transmission of the disease.
4.3.4 Strategies of HIV Prevention in Rift Valley Technical Training Institute in Eldoret
HIV and AIDS prevention strategy is very important in the sense that it is possible to gauge
whether the Students know different ways of protecting themselves from contracting the HIV virus.
Students were asked to identify the various strategies for preventing HIV/ AIDS that they were
aware of. The responses to this question are summarized in table 8.
Table 4 HIV prevention strategies adopted by the Students in Rift Valley Technical institute
The main HIV/ AIDS prevention methods that the students knew included abstinence, using
condoms, not sharing sharp objects, and being faithful to one uninfected sexual partner. These
strategies or prevention methods were known by majority (at least 50%) of the students.
Less than 50% of the students were aware that knowing one’s HIV status and obtaining counseling
services from VCTs was a way of preventing the disease. Conceptually, students who are aware of
their HIV status are likely to take measures to avoid contracting or spreading the disease if they
obtain appropriate counseling and guidance services (Ndegwa, 2002). Less than 20% of the
students were aware that blood screening before transfusion, PMTCT, and avoiding sharing
toothbrushes could lead to transmission of the disease.
Table 8 shows that less than 10% of the students knew that refraining from harmful cultural
practices such as wife inheritance and female genital mutilation (FGM) are effective methods of
preventing HIV and AIDS infection. In addition, BCC and instilling moral values were considered
effective strategies for preventing the disease by less than 10% of the students.
There is a huge information asymmetry concerning the methods of HIV prevention among students
in Sub District. This suggests that poor Education about HIV prevention methods in Rift Valley
Technical Training Instittute in Eldoret could be one of the major causes of the high prevalence of
the disease in Sub District. Oyo-Ita et al (2005) also found that students in Calabar Nigeria had very
poor Education of HIV prevention methods. In their study, only 48% of the students were aware
that keeping one sexual partner, using condoms, blood screening, and abstinence could help to
prevent HIV/ AIDS. According to Uganda AIDS Commission (2012), the imperfect Education
about HIV prevention methods is explained by the fact that health care policy makers often over
emphasize the importance of the major prevention methods such as protected sex at the expense of
other equally important measures such as avoiding getting into contact with the blood of an infected
person. The Students tend to remember only the prevention methods that they regularly hear about
in institutes and the mass media.
Table 9 indicates that over 80% of the students knew that abstinence, being faithful to one partner
and proper use of condom could protect an individual from HIV infection. This finding is supported
by that of Pankaj et al. (2012) who found that at least 84% of secondary students in Pune, India
were aware that HIV infection could be avoided by engaging in safe sex practices such as
abstinence and using condom. According to Pankaj et al. (2012), students are likely to participate
effectively in HIV prevention if they know the major methods of transmission and prevention of the
disease.
The students were also aware of the various HIV/ AIDS modes of transmission. 90% of the students
knew that sharing sharp objects could lead to HIV transmission. Over 85% of the students were
aware of the fact that the disease cannot be easily transmitted through sharing clothes. At least 80%
of the students knew that a person who looks healthy could be infected with the disease.Ochieng et
al. (2011) also found that over 70% of Rift Valley Rift Valley institute students in Kisumu had
adequate Education of the main HIV prevention methods.
The study revealed that 93% of the students knew that unprotected sex is the main mode of HIV
transmission. 84.1% of the students also knew that there is a link between STI and HIV. This
Education is important because individuals with STIs are more susceptible to HIV infection than
those who are not suffering from any STI. However, only 66.3% of the students considered cultural
practices and beliefs such as wife inheritance as factors that enhance the spread of HIV/ AIDS.
Overall, table 9 confirms the earlier findings, which suggested that the Students lack accurate
Education about the disease. For instance, 30.2% of the students do not believe that risky cultural
practices such as FGM promote the spread of HIV/ AIDS. Similarly, 11.1% of the students believe
that being faithful to one sexual partner cannot prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS. This means
that the students can be tempted to have multiple sexual partners thereby enhancing instead of
preventing the spread of the disease.Ochieng (2005) in his study of reproductive and sexual health
behavior in Kisumu County also found that the Students had misconceptions on how HIV is
transmitted and prevented. One of the possible explanations to the inconsistency of the Education
that the Students have is misinterpretation of information coupled with believing in the myths
about the disease. Specifically, if students fail to understand what they are taught about HIV/ AIDS,
then they are likely to have misconceptions about it (Hussein, 2005).
4.3.6 Cultural Practices and the Spread of HIV and AIDS in Rift Valley Technical Training
Institute in Eldoret
The researcher also sought to establish whether the Students would clearly identify some of the
cultural practices that would enhance the spread of the HIV virus. This was important in the
designing of HIV programs for the Students. The results were as show in table 10.
Table 6: The Students’s Education on cultural practices that enhance the spread of HIV/
AIDS
Table 10 shows that the students in Rift Valley Technical Institute in Uasin Gishu County have
very little Education of the cultural practices that enhance the spread of HIV despite the fact that
they reside in rural areas where cultural practices such as wife inheritance and polygamy are
common. The practices listed in table 9 have the potential of facilitating the spread of HIV/ AIDS.
However, none of them could be identified by at least 50% of the students as a risk factor. Wife
inheritance was identified by 43.7% of the students as a cultural practice that enhance HIV
infection. This means that it is the main practice, which students associate with HIV infection in the
district. Other major cultural practices that were identified by the students were polygamy, which
encourages sex with multiple partners, sharing sharp objects, and traditional male initiation that
can cause HIV infection through sharing of equipment such as circumcision knives.
Blood sucking, FGM, sacrificing, and removal of teeth were identified by less than 20% of the
students as cultural practices that could lead to HIV/ AIDS infection. This suggests that the students
consider the aforementioned practices as minor modes of HIV transmission. One of the possible
explanations of this finding is that most of the cultural practices listed in table 9 might notbe
widespread in Uasin Gishu County . Thus, the Students have little Education about them, including
how they can lead to HIV infection. According to Mbozi(2008), the students are less likely to
associate cultural practices such as polygamy and wife inheritance with the spread of HIV and
AIDS if they hold these practices in high esteem by considering them as an integral part of their
culture.
4.4 Attitudes of the Students and their Participation in HIV Prevention on peer education
Stigma and discrimination in a population can adversely affect both people’s willingness to be
tested and their adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Reduction of stigma and discrimination in Rift
Valley Technical Training Institute in Eldoret is, thus, an important indicator of the success of
programmes targeting HIV and AIDS prevention and control.
Table 7: Level of secrecy by the Students about a family member’s infection with HIV
Table 11 shows that 44.7% of the students strongly agreed that the information about the positive
HIV status of a member of their family should remain secret. Moreover, 34.5% agreed that the
information should remain secret. 13.8% of the students were neutral, which means that they
neither agreed nor disagreed that the information should be shared. The finding indicates that
stigma against HIV/ AIDS patients is still a problem in Uasin Gishu County . Cameron (2010) in
his study of the responses adopted to reduce HIV noted that stigma against HIV/AIDS patients is
still a problem both indeveloped countries such as Brazil and developing countries such as
Zimbabwe,
Zambia, and Botswana. Attawell, Pulertwitz, and Brown (2002) contend that stigma against HIV
patients arises from the fear of contagion and the disease itself. These fears are exacerbated by
shame, guilt, and low self-esteem.
Only 3.8% of the students disagreed that the information about the HIV positive status of a member
of their family should remain a secret. Similarly, 3.2% of the students strongly disagreed. Students
in Uasin Gishu County are likely to avoid sharing information about the HIV status of their family
members to avoid shame or embarrassment. According to Cameron (2010), stigma is a negative
attitude that worsens the conditions of HIV patients. Stigma can lead to job loss, institute expulsion,
violence, and denial of health services among HIV patients. It also enhance the spread of the
disease because people living in fear are less likely to adopt preventive behavior, go for testing, and
access care and adhere to treatment.
Table 12 shows that majority of the students (51.4%) strongly agreed to share a desk with an
infected classmate. Another 15.4% agreed to share their desks with an infected classmate. 3% of the
students were neutral, which means that they could not take a stance on whether to or not to share a
desk with an infected classmate. The finding means that discrimination against HIV patients in the
institute setting is not a major problem in rural Rift Valley Technical Institute in Uasin Gishu
County . According to NCHSR (2012), health care providers and the community can only provide
care and support to HIV patients if they have a positive attitude towards them. This implies that
students in Uasin Gishu County are likely to provide emotional support to their infected colleagues
or to encourage them to seek medication.
Table 12 also shows that 15.9% of the students disagreed to share a desk with an infected
classmate. Another 11.3% strongly disagreed. The implication of this finding is that the students
who have a negative attitude towards their colleagues who are HIV positive are likely to practice
discrimination and stigmatization. This would limit their ability to participate in the prevention of
HIV/ AIDS.
4.4.3 Encounter with STIs in Rift Valley Technical Training Institute in Eldoret
The respondents were asked if they had encountered an STI to understand the implications of their
sexual activities. The study found that nearly 82% of the students had not been infected by a
sexually transmitted infection (STI). Only 6.7% had been infected by an STI, whereas 11.1% did
not indicate whether they had been infected or not. The result suggests that the prevalence of STIs
among Rift Valley Rift Valley institute students is low.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction
This chapter will present a summary of the major findings of the study. The conclusions of the
study will also be presented in this chapter. In addition, recommendations for improving the
participation of peer education in Rift Valley Rift Valley institute students in prevention of HIV
will be made. The chapter will also highlight the study’s contribution to the body of Education and
the areas for further research.
The study revealed that 66.6% of the students had encountered a social condition that exposed them
to the risk of acquiring HIV. 53.8% of the students stated that having unprotected sex was the main
adverse social condition that exposed them to the risk of acquiring HIV. In addition, 29.1% of the
students were likely to acquire HIV because of lack of post exposure prophylaxis. Risky leisure
activities such as drinking alcohol and smoking had been encountered by 27.1% of the students.
However, poverty and peer pressure were considered adverse social conditions by only 10.5% and
15.4% of the students respectively.
5.3 Conclusions
The study shows that there is high awareness about HIV/ AIDs in general. However, the quality of
peer education that students have about the disease is not perfect. Majority of the students have
basic Education about the major modes of HIV transmission, as well as, the main methods of
preventing the disease. However, majority of the students have inadequate Education about the
cultural practices that can lead to HIV infection. In addition, they lack Education of important
measures for preventing HIV/ AIDS such as blood screening before transfusion. In this respect, the
quality of Education that students have is not adequate to enable them to participate effectively in
prevention of HIV/ AIDS.
The students have a positive attitude towards their colleagues and members of the society who are
infected with HIV and AIDS. Moreover, majority of them believe that the use of condom should be
taught in institutes. Majority of the students are not willing to share information about their relatives
who are HIV positive. This implies that fear, stigma, and discrimination against HIV patients in the
community are barriers that prevent students from participating in prevention of HIV/ AIDS.
The study shows that majority of the students are sexually active and most of them are using
condoms. However, the main reason for using condoms was to prevent unwanted pregnancies
rather than HIV/ STIs. Therefore, the students are at risk of being infected with HIV since they are
likely to abandon using condoms if they find alternative contraceptives. The prevalence of STIs
including HIV among the students is low. However, STIs are still a threat to students’ participation
in prevention of HIV because they increase the likelihood of acquiring the disease and most of
those who are already infected hardly seek medical treatment. Although the uptake of HIV test is
high, stigma and the fear of knowing one’s status still prevent some students from going for the
tests as a way of participating in the prevention of HIV/ AIDS.
Adverse social conditions also prevent Rift Valley Rift Valley institute students from
participating in the prevention of HIV/ AIDS. The social conditions that expose the students to the
risk of acquiring the disease include having unprotected sex, lack of access to treatment after
potential exposure to HIV, and having unprotected sex.
5.4 Recommendations
The following policy recommendations should be considered by the institute administrators and the
government to enhance prevention of HIV/AIDS among institute going Students. First, the study
revealed that students did not have perfect or accurate information or Education about HIV/ AIDS.
This problem should be solved by improving the quality of information about HIV and AIDS. This
should involve consolidating accurate information about the disease and disseminating it through
appropriate means such as formal class lessons, Students clubs, and health centers. This will help in
eliminating the myths and use of incorrect information that is likely to expose students to higher
risk of infection.
Second, the study found that risky sexual behavior such as having unprotected sex is a problem that
limits students’ participation in prevention of HIV/ AIDS. In order to solve this problem, institute
administrators, parents, and the government should promote responsible behaviors among students.
Since majority of the students are already sexually active, the use of condoms should be promoted.
In this respect, the use of condoms should be encouraged as a means of preventing HIV/AIDS
rather than just avoiding unwanted pregnancies. Additionally, abstinence should be promoted in
Rift Valley Technical Training Institute in Eldoret .
5.7 Areas for Further Research
This study focused only on the Education and attitudes of institute Students, as well as, their
sexual behavior and social conditions. Thus, in future the following areas should be considered for
further researcher. To begin with, future studies can use a larger sample size by including the
Students who are not in institute in Sub District. Future studies can also explore how variables such
as mental health, social norms, social networks, and sexual abuse influence the participation of the
Students in prevention of HIV/ AIDS.
REFERENCES
Adegbola, O et al 1995, Sexual networking in free town the background of AIDS epidemics.
Health Transition Review.
Akol etal 2000, Education, attitudes and Sexual Behavior of young people towards HIV/AIDS.
Page 1-45.
Akwuwe C. (1999): HIV/AIDS in African Children: Major calamity that Deserve Urgent Global
Action Journal on HIV prevention. Education for Adolescents and Children Vol(IV)
NO.11 Amornkul PN et al (2009). HIV prevalence and associated risk factors among
individuals aged 13-34 years in Rural western Kenya. PL.S ONE 4:e6470
Auerbach, J. and Coates, T.(2009). HIV prevention research: accomplishments and challenges for
the third decade of AIDS. American Journal of public Health.
Bankole A (etal) 2004, Risk and protection, Students and HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa, The
Alan Gultma cher institute, New York
Biggar and Aggius, 1987, A Brief History of HIV/AIDS, pages 3-8, The International Electronic
Journal of Health Education, 2000; Volume 8: pages 86 - 94.
Bradley et al. (2011). Changes in HIV Education, and socio-cultural and sexual attitudes in South
India from 2003-2009. BMC Public Health 11(6), 6-12.
Catania J.A et al (1990) Towards an understanding of risk behavior: An AIDS Risk Reduction
Model (ARRM) Health Education and Behaviour Quarterly 17,53-72
Chu, C. & Selwyn, P. A. (2010). Diagnosis and initial management of acute HIV infection.
American Family Physician 81(10), 1239-1244.
Coco, A. & Kleinhans, E. (2005). Prevalence of Primary HIV Infection in Symptomatic
Ambulatory Patients. Annals of Family Medicine 3(5), 400-404.
Cohall, A. et al (2001) Adolescents in the age of AIDS: Myths, Misconception, and
misunderstandings, regrading sexually transmitted diseases, J Natl med Assoc. 93(2),
64-65 Cohall, A Et al 2001, HIV/AIDS Education, attitudes and opinions among
adolescents in the River States of Nigeria, Joint National Medical Association pages
64-69.
Cohen,M., Hellmann, N., Levy, J., DeCock, K. & Lange, J. (2008). The spread, treatment and
prevention of HIV-1: a global pandemic. The Journal of Clinic Investigation 118(4),
1244-1254. Coovadia, H. & Hadingham, J. (2005). HIV/AIDS: global trends, global
funds and delivery bottlenecks. Globalization and health 1(13), 1-10.
Crosby, R., Graham, C., Milhausen, R., Sanders, S. & Yarber, W. (2012). Preface to condom use
to prevent sexually transmitted infections: a global perspective. Sexual Health 9(1),
150- 156.
Fuller, T.D. & Chamratrithirong, A. (2009). Education of HIV risk factors among immigrants in
Thailand. Journal of immigrant and minority health 11(2), 83-91.
Giri, P., Shirol, S., & Kasbe, A. (2011). A comparative study to assess the Education and
practices regarding sexual health among the migrants and non-migrants in
Mumbai city. International Journal of Collaborative Research on International
Medicine & Public Health 3(5), 341-352.
Nyinya F (2007). Altitude of Teachers and students towards HIV/AIDS Education programme in
institute in Kisumu Municipality. Unpublished Masters Thesis, Maseno University.
Ochieng Am (2005) A study of the reproductive and sexual –health behavior of Adolescents in
Kisumu Districts in Relations to HIV/AIDS. Unpublished masters thesis, Maseno
University.
Ochola Ayayo et al (1991) first preliminary report on sex practices and the spread of AIDS and
other STDs in Kenya, Rift Valley Technical Training Institute.
Odu, O, et al (2008). Education’s attitude to HIV/AIDS and sexual behavior of students in a
tertiary institution of South-Western Nigeria. European Journal of contraception and
reproductive Health care, 13(1), 90-96.
Parekh, B., Kalou, M., Alemnji, G., Ou, C-Y., Gershy-Damet, G. & Nkengasong, J. (2010).
Scaling up HIV Rapid Testing in Developing Countries. American Society for
Clinical Patalogy 134(10), 573-584.
Park, L., Siraprapasiri, T., Peerapatanapokin, W., Manne, J., Niccolai, L. & Kunanusont, C.
(2010). HIV: Transmission rates in Thailand: Evidence of HIV Prevention and
Transmission Decline. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes: 54(4),
430-436.
Pinkerton, S.D. & Abramson, P.R. (1997). Effectiveness of condoms in preventing HIV
transmission. Social Sciences Medicine 44(5), 1303-1312.
Piot, P., Bartos, M., Laerson, H., Zewdie, D. & Mane, P. (2008). Coming to terms with complexity:
a call to action for HIV prevention. The Lancet 372(9641), 845-859.
Microsoft Encarta (2007) Encarta dictionaries 1993-2006
Pathfinder Intenational (2009). Assesment of Kenya sexual networks: Collecting evidence for
interventions to reduce HIV/STI risk in Garissa, North Eastern Province and
Eastleigh, Nairobi: Pathfinder international Kenya.
Resenstock I. (1966) why people use Health services. Milbank memorial Fund Quarterly New York
Resenstock I. (1974) why people use Health services. Milbank memorial Fund Quarterly New York
44:94-124
Ross D, Pick B, Fergroon J.(2006). Preventing HIV/AIDS in yours people: a systematic review of
the evidence from developing countries
Shaffer D.N. Et al. (2010) HIV-1 Incidences Rates and Risk factors in Agricultural workers and
dependents in Rural Kenya: a 36-month follow up of the Kericho HIV cohort study. J
53: 514- 521
Shapiro, J. Radecki S, Charchick, A.S. Josephson v. 1999,(Sexual behavior and AIDS) related
Education among community college students in orange country, California Journal
of community health.
Tegang S et at. (2007). APHA II Baselie Behavioural Monitoring Survey Report- Coast Rift Valley
2007.
Tuju R. (1996) AIDS, understanding the challenges, Ace Communication Ltd Nairobi.
UNAIDS (2008) Report on the global AIDS epidemic. Geneva: Joint United Nations programme
on HIV/AIDS.
UNAIDS (2009). AIDS epidemic update. Geneva: Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.
UNAIDS: UNAIDS Report on the Globe AIDS Epidemic -2010 Joint United Nations programmes
on HIV-AIDS (UNAIDS).
UNAIDS (2010) Outlook breaking News: Young people are leading the HIV Prevention
Revolution, Geneva: Joint United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS.
UNAIDS world AIDS Day Report 2011. (Geneva, UNAIDS, 2011UNGASS 2010: United Nations
General Assembly Special Session on HIV and AIDS. County Report –Kenya.
APPENDICES
QUESTIONNAIRE
I was a student at the Rift Valley Technical Training Institute, Department of Sociology and Social Work
conducting a research Peer Education in HIV/AIDS prevention in Rift Valley Technical Training
Institute in Eldoret
Your responses will be treated with almost confidentiality and will only be used for education purposes.
c) If others (specify)
8. Is HIV a Bacterium?
a. Yes ( ) b. No ( ) c. Don’t Know/Don’t Remember ( )
9. Is HIV a Virus?
a. Yes ( ) b. No ( ) c. Don’t Know/Don’t Remember ( )
10. Does HIV cause AIDS?
a. Yes ( ) b. No ( ) c. Don’t Know/Don’t Remember ( )
14. A person can be infected with HIV and not have the disease AIDS
a. Yes ( ) b. No ( ) c. Don’t Know/Don’t Remember ( )
15. Can a healthy looking person have HIV/AIDS?
a. Yes ( ) b. No ( ) c. Don’t Know/Don’t Remember ( )
16. a) To what extent do you feel the following practices transmit HIV/AIDS? (where 4 is Strongly
agree, 3 is Agree, 2 is neutral, 1 Disagree and 0 Strongly Disagree )
4 3 2 1 0
HIV/AIDS TRANSMISSION
Sexual intercourse
Contact with blood of infected person
Casual contact with infected person ( i.e. sharing food, cup, glass,
handshake, hugging, clothes)
Not using condoms
Contact with infected person's toothbrush/shaving material
During Pregnancy
During Birth
Through Breast Milk
Blood transfusion
Sharing Needles (drug use), razor blades
Unclean Medical Equipment
Kissing
Mosquito/Insect bites
b) If others (specify)
17. Which are the symptoms of HIV/AIDS? Kindly tick the relevant ones.
a. Fever ()
b. Diarrhoea ()
c. Nausea and Vomiting ()
d. Weight loss ()
e. persistent skin rashes ()
f. Fatigue ()
g. Others (Specify)
18. Can a person do anything to protect him/herself from getting HIV/AIDS?
a. Yes ( ) b. No ( ) c. Don’t Know/Don’t Remember ( )
19. How can people protect themselves from getting infected with HIV/AIDS?
a. Abstain from sex ()
b. Non penetrative sex/thigh sex ( )
c. Always use condoms ()
d. Limit number of sex partners ()
e. Have only one sex partner ()
f. Avoid sex workers ()
g. Have sex with a virgin ( )
h. Use sterilized needles ()
i. Require partner to take blood test( )
j. Other (specify)
k. don’t know/don’t remember ()
20. a) Have you ever heard of diseases other than HIV/AIDS that can be transmitted through sexual
intercourse?
a. Yes ( ) b. No ( )
b) If yes, specify
21. In your opinion, who are the people likely to be infected with HIV/AIDS?
a. Parents ()
b. Students ()
c. Prostitutes ()
d. Others (Specify)
22. In your own opinion, what is the probability that you may get infected with HIV/AIDS?
a. Very high ()
b. High ()
c. Neutral ()
d. Low ()
e. Very low ()
23. Do you know anyone infected with HIV/AIDS?
a. Yes ( ) b. No ( )
24. Most Students who have HIV/AIDS have only themselves to blame
a. Strongly Agree ( ) b. Agree ( ) c. Neutral ( ) d. Disagree ( ) e. Strongly Disagree ()
25. Most Students who have HIV/AIDS deserve what they get
a. Strongly Agree ( ) b. Agree ( ) c. Neutral ( ) d. Disagree ( ) e. Strongly Disagree ( )
26. Students should be removed from the institute if they are HIV positive
a. Strongly Agree ( ) b. Agree ( ) c. Neutral ( ) d. Disagree ( ) e. Strongly Disagree ( )
27. I feel more sympathetic towards students who get HIV/AIDS from blood transfusion than those
who get it from drug abuse
a. Strongly Agree ( ) b. Agree ( ) c. Neutral ( ) d. Disagree ( ) e. Strongly Disagree ( )
28. I have little sympathy for students who get HIV/AIDS from sexual promiscuity
a. Strongly Agree ( ) b. Agree ( ) c. Neutral ( ) d. Disagree ( ) e. Strongly Disagree ( )
29. Students with AIDS should be treated with the same respect as other students
a. Strongly Agree ( ) b. Agree ( ) c. Neutral ( ) d. Disagree ( ) e. Strongly Disagree ( )
30. I am worried about getting HIV/AIDS from social contact with a fellow students in institute
a. Strongly Agree ( ) b. Agree ( ) c. Neutral ( ) d. Disagree ( ) e. Strongly Disagree ( )
31. People with HIV/AIDS should tell their sexual partners that they are infected
a. Strongly Agree ( ) b. Agree ( ) c. Neutral ( ) d. Disagree ( ) e. Strongly Disagree ( )
32. I am sympathetic towards the misery that students with HIV/AIDS experience
a. Strongly Agree ( ) b. Agree ( ) c. Neutral ( ) d. Disagree ( ) e. Strongly Disagree ( )
33. I would like to do something to make life easier for people with HIV/AIDS
a. Strongly Agree ( ) b. Agree ( ) c. Neutral ( ) d. Disagree ( ) e. Strongly Disagree ( )
34. I am comfortable discussing with someone HIV/AIDS
a. Strongly Agree ( ) b. Agree ( ) c. Neutral ( ) d. Disagree ( ) e. Strongly Disagree ( )
35. I have heard enough about HIV/AIDS and I don’t want to hear about it anymore.
a. Strongly Agree ( ) b. Agree ( ) c. Neutral ( ) d. Disagree ( ) e. Strongly Disagree ( )
36. What would you do if you found out that a friend of yours was infected with HIV/AIDS? Please
tick only one response.
a. Offer them support and sympathy ()
b. Offer them support but consider that they deserve it for some reason ()
c. Continue to be friends but avoid physical contact ()
d. Avoid them ()
a. Yes ( ) b. No ( )
44. a) Have you changed your sexual behavior habits because of information gained from HIV/AIDS
awareness campaigns or programs
a. Yes ( ) b. No ( ) c. Somewhat ( )
b) Please explain your answer
45. Has the topic HIV/AIDS been included in your study program?
d. Not at all ( ) b. Somewhat ( ) c. Sufficiently ( )
46. How do you asses your theoretical Education in HIV/AIDS to be
e. Poor () b. Fair ( ) c. Good ( ) d. Very Good ( )
47. Do you think that the Students should have an informative role concerning HIV/AIDS to the public?
a. Yes ( ) b. No ( )
48. Who is most suitable to give information about HIV/AIDS?
f. Doctor ()
g. Teacher ()
h. Parents ()
i. Fellow students ()
j. Others (Specify)
49. a) More HIV/AIDS programs and training in institutes and institutes are necessary.
a. Yes ( ) b. No ( )
b) Explain your answer
50. What do you think would make the HIV/AIDS awareness programs more effective for young
people?